Autumn Equinox—Beware of Mood Disorders
As the autumn equinox arrives and temperatures cool, the crisp, pleasant weather brings comfort to many. However, autumn's dry climate and unpredictable temperature fluctuations can affect both mental and physical well-being. For those with heightened sensitivity, the melancholy autumn rains may trigger emotional or psychological distress, potentially leading to depression.
Traditional Chinese medicine associates autumn with the lungs and the emotion of worry, making this season a high-risk period for depression. As summer transitions to autumn, decreasing sunlight exposure disrupts the body's biological clock, which struggles to adapt to shorter daylight hours. This leads to physiological rhythm disorders and endocrine imbalances, increasing susceptibility to emotional and mental disturbances.For individuals with depression or depressive tendencies, autumn signifies the peak season for depressive episodes.
The primary cause lies in reduced daylight exposure. Research indicates the pineal gland in the brain contains abundant serotonin, which converts into melatonin under the influence of specific enzymes. Melatonin secretion is regulated by light exposure.Strong light reduces melatonin production, while dim light increases it. High melatonin levels in the body can lead to feelings of depression, whereas lower levels promote a more cheerful mood.
Autumn Mood Management Methods:
1. Consume more calorie-dense foods like meat and beans to meet bodily needs. When feeling low, drink green tea or coffee and eat bananas to stimulate the nervous system and improve mood.
2. Engage in regular exercise and outdoor activities like Tai Chi, ball sports, brisk walking, or dancing to effectively relax the mind.
3. Maintaining a positive outlook is fundamental to overcoming pessimism. View nature's seasonal transitions with a balanced perspective, preserving mental tranquility without dwelling on spring's fleeting beauty or autumn's melancholy.
4. Increase sun exposure. Ample light can elevate mood, boost alertness, and reduce or eliminate depressive feelings. On cloudy days, turn on all indoor lights and consume foods high in sugar—both help regulate emotions.
5. Cultivate hobbies. Autumn often brings low spirits; developing healthy interests effectively shifts focus while refining one's character.
End of Heat—Beware of Japanese Encephalitis and Colds
Experts note that while temperatures begin cooling during the End of Heat period, conditions remain characterized by hot midday heat, cool mornings and evenings, and significant daily temperature fluctuations. Under such weather conditions, the public should guard against diseases like Japanese encephalitis and the common cold.
Japanese encephalitis is caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, transmitted through mosquito bites as an acute infectious disease affecting the central nervous system. Clinical symptoms include high fever, impaired consciousness, convulsions, and meningeal irritation. Prevention primarily involves two measures: mosquito control and vaccination.
Preventing colds is also crucial during this season. Autumn's unpredictable weather, following the exhausting heat of summer, leaves the body depleted and immunity weakened. As temperatures gradually drop, viruses exploit this vulnerability, entering the body through respiratory tract infections. Particularly in early autumn, significant temperature fluctuations—afternoon convective weather and widespread cold air movements—can cause sudden drops in temperature, challenging the body's immune defenses.
Experts also caution that temperatures remain unstable during the End of Heat period, with cooler mornings and evenings. Adjust clothing accordingly to avoid catching a chill. Additionally, this season is marked by dry weather with minimal rainfall and low humidity, often causing coughs, sore throats, dry noses, and parched mouths. Staying hydrated is crucial.Additionally, regularly ventilate indoor spaces by opening windows. Engage in fitness activities and strengthen physical exercise. Maintain a regular lifestyle with adequate sleep. If flu-like symptoms appear, seek medical attention promptly.
White Dew—Summer Heat Fades, Beware Cold Beverages to Prevent Illness
White Dew, one of the 24 solar terms, marks the gradual retreat of summer heat and the true arrival of cool autumn.From White Dew onward, the weather transitions from hot to cool, with significant fluctuations between day and night temperatures. Experts advise: During this period, people should be vigilant against foodborne illnesses, bacterial dysentery, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and influenza.
September marks the peak season for infectious diarrhea. Citizens should cultivate good dietary habits: avoid raw or undercooked foods, spoiled or contaminated items, and exercise caution with cold foods and beverages.If gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting occur, seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying treatment. Preventing bacterial dysentery requires maintaining food and water hygiene and practicing good personal hygiene. With students gathering in large numbers after the start of the school term, precautions against hand-foot-and-mouth disease and various respiratory infections are also essential.
Autumnal Equinox—Stay Vigilant Against Intestinal Diseases
On the day of the Autumnal Equinox, one of the 24 solar terms, the sun shines directly on the equator, creating equal day and night lengths. From this day forward, nights gradually lengthen and days shorten across the Northern Hemisphere.
As cold air masses strengthen their southward advance, the continental high-pressure system begins dominating most northern regions. The rainy season concludes, yielding to crisp breezes and clear, cool autumn skies. From now on, frost sightings become commonplace.
The Autumn Equinox season is ideal for outdoor activities, but remember to layer up to prevent colds.Additionally, this season sees a rise in intestinal infections, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and other diseases. It also triggers relapses of chronic conditions like gastric disorders, chronic bronchitis in the elderly, and asthma. Therefore, maintain strict food hygiene and increase physical exercise.
Cold Dew—Beware of Depression
From Cold Dew onward, rainfall diminishes, the air grows dry, and days become warm while nights turn cool.From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, the defining characteristic of this solar term is the prevalence of the "dryness" pathogen, which most readily damages the lungs and stomach. During this period, sweat evaporates rapidly, often leading to dry skin, increased wrinkles, dry mouth and throat, dry cough with little phlegm, and even hair loss and constipation. Thus, the focus of health preservation should be on nourishing yin to prevent dryness, moistening the lungs, and benefiting the stomach.
Mental well-being also demands attention. As temperatures drop, daylight diminishes, and leaves fall with the wind, feelings of melancholy may arise, leading to emotional instability and a tendency toward sadness. Maintaining a positive mindset and cultivating optimism are essential components of health preservation.
Dietary adjustments are also advisable: minimize consumption of pungent, spicy, aromatic, or smoked foods. Instead, prioritize foods that nourish yin, moisturize dryness, benefit the stomach, and promote fluid production—such as sesame seeds, walnuts, white fungus, radishes, tomatoes, lotus root, milk, lily bulbs, and Chinese ginseng.Simultaneously, maintain adequate indoor humidity, ensure sufficient hydration, and consume fruits like snow pears, bananas, cantaloupe, apples, water persimmons, and grapes. Frost's Descent—Caution for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Hypertension, and Cerebrovascular Sclerosis Patients Experts caution that Frost's Descent marks the transitional period between autumn and winter, characterized by significant weather fluctuations. Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, or cerebrovascular sclerosis should exercise particular vigilance.
With the arrival of Frost's Descent, crops and foliage begin to yellow and shed leaves. Temperatures drop rapidly after this period. Patients with gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, or cerebral arteriosclerosis should avoid strenuous exercise, maintain emotional stability and a positive mindset, minimize outdoor exposure in the early morning and evening, and avoid exposure to cold air whenever possible. These are effective proactive measures for preventing these three conditions.
Life Tip: As temperatures gradually drop, people tend to sleep longer. During sleep, blood flow slows, increasing the risk of blood clots. Consequently, cases of cerebral thrombosis rise after the Cold Dew solar term. Traditional Chinese medicine clearly states: In autumn, one should retire early to align with the storage of yin essence and rise early to harmonize with the expansion of yang energy. This practice aligns with the seasonal rhythms to ensure health.